Boat people - what is the solution?

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Boats 'our problem' not the world's: Tony Abbott
July 18, 2013 - 12:30PM
Judith Ireland
Breaking News Report

As details emerge of a deadly new boat tragedy off Christmas Island, PM Kevin Rudd is considering more changes to asylum policy.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has dismissed Kevin Rudd's suggestion that Labor will seek to make changes to the UN Refugee Convention, describing it as a ''red herring'' in the asylum seeker debate, and saying the Prime Minister is always trying to ''internationalise'' problems.

Addressing reporters near Rockhampton on Thursday, Mr Abbott said that Mr Rudd was making excuses about the asylum seeker issue.

''I say to Mr Rudd: stop making excuses, stop trying to say this is the world's problem, it's not. It's our problem and we need to take the appropriate action in this country, by this country, for this country to stop the boats and we need to do it now,'' Mr Abbott said. yet we are signatories to the UN Convention, both major parties were party to this. Surely we need to either withdraw from it or amend it to suit today's circumstances. Surely then on this very specific part of the problem Rudd has it right.

This followed comments from Mr Rudd on Wednesday, where he flagged for the first time a review of Australia's obligations under the United Nations Refugee Convention, as part of a new policy aimed at stemming the flow of asylum seeker boats. 'bout time Kevvy said something sensible on this issue.

The Prime Minister signalled the review as part of a three-pronged policy shift to address the issue globally, promote regional co-operation and tighten the refugee assessment process in Australia. Better late than ever eh

Immigration Minister Tony Burke on Thursday hit back at Mr Abbott's assertion that boat arrivals were Australia's problem, not the world's.

''Mr Abbott is perhaps the first person in the world to not believe refugees are an international issue,'' he told Fairfax Media.

''By the very definition, refuges and asylum seekers are an international issue. We have a significant problem in our region and we need a comprehensive regional approach to deal with it.'' Actually they are not coming from our region in the first place and they have passed through countries of refuge to get here...

Last month a UN report said that there were more refugees or internally displaced people than at any other time since 1994.

The annual Global Trends report found that as of the end of 2012, more than 45.2 million people were in situations of displacement compared to 42.5 million at the end of 2011.

War remained the major cause for displacement, with 55 per cent of all refugees in the report coming from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Sudan.

The Coalition has previously called for a rethink on the Refugee Convention, saying its operations and protections have become confused in the past 60 years.

Mr Abbott said that the difficulty with the convention was the way it had been imported into Australian law, but did not suggest it had to be updated. Well perhaps he needs to rethink what should be done about it then.

''It's the things that we do here in Australia as Australians that matter. We should get cracking on doing what we need to in this country and on our orders to fix this problem. Not raise yet another red herring: which is Mr Rudd leading some kind of an international crusade to change an international rule,'' he said. It is the convention and our signature that is used to force us to act as we do that is no red herring.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison also dismissed Mr Rudd's remarks saying: "Kevin Rudd is always talking and raising expectations about what he might do on border protection, but his record shows he does very little.'' yes, but that doesn't mean this is a bad idea... you can still reinstate the pacific Solution and at the same time work on this idea as well.

But Mr Morrison said he had ''strong reservations'' about the interpretation of the convention and its impact on domestic policies. Then change them...

He stopped short of confirming that a Coalition government would remain a signatory to the convention. However, he hinted the Coalition would remove the appeals process to the refugee tribunal, as it did under the Howard government. Good. In fact they should abandon that tribunal which just gives ticks to almost all asylum seekers.

''That is obviously an outcome that if it can legally be implemented once again, that we would look kindly upon,'' Mr Morrison told ABC radio.

No explanation of what Mr Rudd had in mind when he made his comments yesterday has been forthcoming from his office, although possible areas of focus are Australia's obligations to those who pass through countries where they could lodge refugee claims, and whether permanent residency should be afforded in the first instance. yes... we need to know what changes they are advocating. Something i've been advocating for years

Mr Rudd's comments could also presage a diplomatic push by Australia for the international community to review and reform the treaty, which came into being in 1951.

Former foreign minister Gareth Evans, who is president emeritus of the International Crisis Group, said it was sensible to revisit the convention.

''I think it's perfectly sensible to open up an international conversation about the scope of the convention,'' he told ABC 24 on Thursday.

Professor Evans expressed doubts that Australia would walk away completely from the obligations of the convention. If we can't amend it we should...

''But at the same time we have to recognise there have been concerns about the applicability of the convention to the circumstances of the 21st century compared to the post World War II years,'' he said. Exactly...

Professor Evans pointed to definition problems in the convention such as the requirement that refugees be fleeing persecution.

''That doesn't on the face of it extend to those like Syrians at the moment, who are mostly fleeing from the risk of death by crossfire in a civil war,'' he said. ''There's no burden sharing obligation on countries.''

Professor Evans said there were also problems with the different treatment of refugees in camps and those who were able to get to convention signatory countries.

Greens leader Christine Milne and refugee lawyer David Manne have expressed alarm at any softening in Australia's support of the convention, with Mr Manne describing it as the ''bedrock'' of the nation's commitment to those fleeing persecution. Well that's to be expected from the Loopy Left isn't it... people like these should be ignored completely. It is kowtowing to idiots like these that have led us to where we are today.

Australia was one of the first countries to sign the 1951 convention, the document that defines who is a refugee and the obligations of signature countries.

With Michael Gordon, AAP

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... z2ZMYV1i6A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Rorschach]

Tony Abbott and the Libs need to shut up on this and stop the politicking... this is not a NO issue... this should be looked at on it's merits and adopted in conjunction with their other ideas.

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mantra the hater at it again with this time an completely inappropriate image... how unusual.
And you expect people to take you seriously... grow up.

Note... I disagreed with Abbott but didn't have to lie about it or be an idiot doing it.

[mantra]

mantra the hater at it again with this time an completely inappropriate image... how unusual.
And you expect people to take you seriously... grow up.

Note... I disagreed with Abbott but didn't have to lie about it or be an idiot doing it.

What are you on about? How else is Abbott going to turn back the boats? Why else would he want to use the armed forces?

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott admits turning asylum seeker boats around at sea is "dangerous work" but insists it's necessary to stop drownings.

Former defence chief Chris Barrie expressed concern that such a policy would be dangerous, ineffective and stressful for the armed forces.

But Mr Abbott is standing by the coalition's policy.

"I'm not saying this is particularly pleasant work," he told ABC TV on Sunday.

"It is a very tough job. Yes, it's dangerous work.

"But that's why people join our armed forces. They go into harm's way to help our country."

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/tu ... 6420266734

[IQS.RLOW]

Why else would he want to use the armed forces?

Training for leftard collection and elimination when he gets in govt.

I would have to consider signing up

[Rorschach]

mantra the hater at it again with this time an completely inappropriate image... how unusual.
And you expect people to take you seriously... grow up.

Note... I disagreed with Abbott but didn't have to lie about it or be an idiot doing it.

What are you on about? How else is Abbott going to turn back the boats? Why else would he want to use the armed forces?

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott admits turning asylum seeker boats around at sea is "dangerous work" but insists it's necessary to stop drownings.

Former defence chief Chris Barrie expressed concern that such a policy would be dangerous, ineffective and stressful for the armed forces.

But Mr Abbott is standing by the coalition's policy.

"I'm not saying this is particularly pleasant work," he told ABC TV on Sunday.

"It is a very tough job. Yes, it's dangerous work.

"But that's why people join our armed forces. They go into harm's way to help our country."

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/tu ... 6420266734

idiot!

you disqualify yourself from ever having a vote every time you open your stupid mouth.
When boats were turned around before did anyone shoot anyone?

moron...

Pissoff back to the Ozpolitic LW lovefest. After all you said you require a site where you are all of the same opinion.

You are a total disgrace.

Lots of people in the services or ex-services disagree with your link you dope.

[Black Orchid]

1. Withdraw from the very outdated UN Refugee Convention.
2. Deduct all costs associated with our constant 'rescue' operations from the international aid we give to Indonesia.
3. If all else fails, manned cannons around our northern borders

Most Australians have become desensitised to the plight of these boat people. No papers, but they have mobile phones to call their relies from the leaky boats they paid to travel on. Day after day it's yet another boat in distress. Our naval ships and aircraft are out there daily. It's beyond a joke.

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First of all - lay off the abuse. Ninety percent of your posts are filled with it. No surprise you're accused of being unintelligible.

Secondly...

Lots of people in the services or ex-services disagree with your link.

Of course they would. This is exactly why Abbott isn't suitable to run this country. Stop stating the obvious and come up with an original thought occasionally.

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